Make sure the temperature dial is set correctly. Fridge should be 35-38°F (1-3°C) and freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Controls are sometimes bumped accidentally. Set both and wait 24 hours.

Dirty condenser coils (usually at the back or underneath the fridge) are the #1 cause of inadequate cooling. Unplug the fridge, pull it out, and vacuum the coils. Do this every 6-12 months.

The fan next to the condenser coils circulates air over them. If it's not running, the coils overheat. Listen for the fan when the compressor runs. If silent, it may need replacement.

Warm air leaking through a worn door seal forces the compressor to run constantly but can't keep up. Test by closing the door on a piece of paper — if it slides out, replace the gasket.

Air needs to circulate inside the fridge for even cooling. If it's packed completely full, cold air can't move. Remove items blocking air vents inside the fridge.

If frost has built up excessively in the freezer, it blocks air circulation between the freezer and fridge compartments. Manually defrost by turning off the unit and removing all ice.

The evaporator fan (inside the freezer, behind a back panel) circulates cold air into the fridge section. If it's not running, the fridge won't cool even if the freezer is cold.

If the compressor (the black cylinder at the back) runs constantly but cooling is poor, it may be failing. Compressor replacement is expensive ($200-400 in parts) — at that cost, replacing an older fridge may make more sense.